[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Ji-eun] After paying respects to the late Cardinal Jeong Jin-seok, President Moon Jae-in had a conversation with Cardinal Yeom Soo-jung and expressed gratitude for the Catholic Church's strict adherence to quarantine guidelines. Regarding Cardinal Jeong, he mourned, saying, "We have lost a great pillar of the Korean Catholic Church."
Park Kyung-mi, the Blue House spokesperson, stated on the 29th, "During his conversation with Cardinal Yeom, President Moon expressed sorrow, saying, 'We have lost a great pillar of the Korean Catholic Church.'"
That morning, President Moon and the First Lady, after paying respects to Cardinal Jeong, moved to the auxiliary building of the bishop's residence to have a conversation with Cardinal Yeom. At this meeting, Cardinal Yeom said, "Cardinal Jeong was admitted to Seongmo Hospital on February 21 and endured 65 days receiving only intravenous fluids without life-sustaining treatment," adding, "Although visits were limited due to COVID-19, Cardinal Jeong said he was praying for our country, the Church, peace, priests, and the faithful."
In response, President Moon expressed his gratitude for the Catholic Church's exemplary compliance with quarantine rules so far, and recalled about Cardinal Jeong, "He gave us great teachings. Even in difficult moments, he emphasized gratitude for life and the importance and value of happiness."
He continued, "Especially, (Cardinal Jeong) said that peace and harmony are important in times of great conflict," adding, "He will surely pray more earnestly than anyone else for a harmonious society from heaven."
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